History  of  Mount  Zion 
M.  E.  Church,  South 
of  Chatham  County 
North  Carolina 

"By  Mrs.  Lucy  J.  Williams 


Greensboro,  N.  C. 
.September,  1928 


Pamphlet  Collection 
Quite  Divinity  School 


History  of  Mount  Zion 
M.  E.  Church,  South 
of  Chatham  County 
North  Carolina 


4 


Mrs.  Lucy  J.  Williams 


REV.  THOMAS  W.  MANSFIELD 
Volunteer  for  the  Mission  Field 


CHAPTER  I 

THE  EARLY  DAYS 

On  April  6th,  1851,  a  Sunday  School  was 
organized  by  Mr.  Joseph  Bynum,  Superintendent ; 
Richard  R.  Moore,  Secretary-  Luther  Clegg, 
John  Neal,  Calvin  Brown,  Roderick  Harman, 
teachers. 

The  first  scholars  were:  William  L.  Bynum, 
Mark  W.  Bynum,  George  M.  Bynum,  Turner 
Bynum,  Joseph  N.  Bynum,  Matt  M.  Bynum, 
William  M.  Neal,  Clarence  S.  Neal,  James  Petty, 
M.  Petty,  Stephen  P.  Moore,  John  M.  Moore, 
Henry  H.  Harmon,  Isaac  N.  Harman,  McField- 
ing  Stronghor,  Thomas  J.  Poe,  William  P.  Gean, 
Alvin  Petty,  Mary  A.  Harmon,  Eliza  A.  Bynum, 
Ann  E.  Neal,  Rachel  A.  Moore,  Mary  E.  Moore, 
Sarah  J.  Bynum,  Elizabeth  J.  Harmon,  Martha 
Neal,  Henrietta  Petty,  Elizabeth  J.  Neal,  Esther 

A.  Clegg,  Jane  M.  Clegg,  Eliza  B.  Clegg,  Julia 

B.  Harmon,  Louissa  March,  Nancy  Thomas, 
Mary  Ann  Harmon,  Susan  Thomas,  Celia  M.  L. 
Moore,  Eliza  Bynum,  Sallie  Gean,  Ann  C.  Gean, 
Margaret  Petty,  Espera  Ann  Thomas,  Dolly 
Thomas,  Sarah  Brown,  Martha  L.  Moore,  Lucy 
J.  Gean,  Lydia  M.  Gean. 


P64045 


4  MT.  ZION  CHURCH 


During  the  summer  a  protracted  meeting  was 
held  under  a  brush  arbor  in  the  school  house 
yard.  About  two  miles  southeast  of  Pittsboro, 
North  Carolina,  a  school  house  was  built  called 
Moore's  Schoolhouse,  where  a  short  term  was 
taught  once  a  year,  called  a  free  school.  There 
were  several  large  oak  trees  in  the  yard,  mostly  on 
the  south  side;  it  was  a  beautiful  play  ground  for 
children.  It  was  near  the  home  of  a  good  old 
man  Stephen  Moore  by  name,  a  deacon  of  old 
Rock  Spring  Baptist  Church.  The  first  church 
was  built  of  logs  more  than  a  hundred  years  ago. 
As  the  school  house  was  so  near  Mr.  Moore,  it  was 
called  Moore's  School.  About  the  year  1851,  a 
brush  arbor  was  built  on  the  south  side  under 
these  big  trees  by  Mr.  Joseph  Bynum,  who  was 
a  good  man  and  wanted  to  do  something  for  the 
uplifting  of  his  neighbors  and  country,  and  he  did. 
A  protracted  meeting  was  hely  by  the  circuit  rider 
and  some  local  preachers.  The  meeting  was  held 
for  a  week  or  more.  Mr.  Moore's  family,  Mr. 
Petty  and  Mr.  Bynum,  all  lived  near.  Mr.  Gean's 
family  lived  two  miles,  so  they  carried  provisions 
and  bedding  and  put  them  in  the  school  house  so 
people  from  a  distance  who  wanted  to  spend  the 
night  could  get  some  rest.  The  meeting  was  a 
great  success  and  there  and  then  it  was  proposed 


MT.  ZION  CHURCH  5 


to  build  a  church.  It  seemed  as  if  every  one 
present,  Baptist,  Methodist,  Christian  and  some  of 
no  society,  were  for  a  church.  There  was  a  plank 
road  running  from  Lockville  to  Pittsboro.  Mr. 
Bynum  had  Sunday  School  in  the  school  house 
until  the  church  was  so  they  could  teach  in  the 
church. 


P64045 


CHAPTER  II 


A  CHURCH  IS  BUILT 

Mr.  Joseph  Bynum  said  he  would  donate  the 
land,  two  or  three  acres  or  as  many  as  would  be 
needed  for  a  church  and  grave  yard,  and  in  a  short 
time  he  would  have  it  run  off.  Nathaniel  Clegg, 
commonly  called  "Nat  Clegg,"  being  county  sur- 
veyor at  that  time,  was  sent  for  and  the  land  soon 
was  surveyed.  Soon  wagons  and  teams  were  out 
hauling.  Mr.  Thomas  Ray,  who  lived  up  north 
of  Pittsboro,  with  a  wagon  and  four  horses  driven 
by  his  son  James — whose  body  is  now  sleeping 
near  the  church ;  Albert  Gean's  team,  driven  by 
his  son  William  j  Luther  Clegg's  team  driven  by 
Uucle  Dick,  a  colored  man ;  Mr.  Stephen  Moore, 
John  Neal  and  several  others,  were  willing  to 
help  in  other  ways. 

The  only  saw  mill  anywhere  near  was  not 
far  from  Lockville.  First  the  sills  and  sleepers 
were  put  down.  Not  a  neighbor  but  was  willing 
to  help  and  did  in  some  way.  If  they  could  not 
do  any  of  the  work  they  would  wait  on  those 
who  did  work.  It  was  not  long  until  the  church 
was  so  they  could  preach  in  it.  It  was  built  with 
a  gallery,  two  stories  for  colored  people,  two 


MT.  ZION  CHURCH  7 


doors  in  the  south  end  and  one  in  the  southwest 
corner  for  going  into  the  gallery.  The  steps  were 
never  built.  The  pulpit  was  in  the  north  end 
high  up,  two  steps  on  each  side;  it  was  so  high 
that  we  could  only  see  the  preachers  head,  some 
were  tall  enough  that  you  could  see  their  should- 
ers. Roderick  Harmon,  a  good  workman  built 
the  pulpit.  He  was  always  willing  to  help  in  any 
good  work. 

The  neighbors  did  not  wait  for  the  church  to 
be  finished.  They  had  a  meeting,  the  work- 
benches being  still  in  the  west  side,  with  preaching 
day  and  night.  Mother's  with  babies  would  come, 
some  in  wagons,  few  came  in  carriages.  Mr. 
Spencer  Petty,  with  two  or  three  children  would 
come  and  bring  a  bed  quilt,  on  which  the  baby 
would  go  to  sleep.  Mrs.  Albert  Gean  did  the 
same  j  so  did  Mrs.  Roderick  Harmon.  It  seemed 
like  the  babies  those  day  went  to  sleep  and  was 
but  little  trouble  to  the  mothers.  The  first 
meeting  held  in  the  church  was  by  four  local 
preachers,  Wilson  Atwater,  Lucius  Burnet, 
Thomas  Moses,  Gaston  Farrow  and  the  circuit 
rider  come  in  for  a  part  of  the  time. 


CHAPTER  III 


SUNDAY  SCHOOL  KEPT  GOING 

The  Sunday  School  was  kept  up  several  years 
during  the  summer,  as  there  was  no  stove  in  the 
church  for  several  years.  In  1854  it  was  organ- 
ized on  the  second  Sunday  in  April  according  to 
appointment,  with  Luther  Clegg,  superintendent. 
The  scholars  who  came  the  first  day  had  their 
recitations  as  follows. 

Marion  Harmon,  10  verses  in  Catechism; 
Ester  A.  Clegg,  1  hymn,  7  verses ;  Eliza  Clegg, 
1  hymn,  4  verses ;  Julia  Harmon,  13  chapters  of 
Matthew,  1 9  verses  ;  Esther  Ann  Clegg  and  Mary 
Ann  Harmon,  3  chapters  of  Matthew,  12  verses ; 
Jane  M.  Clegg,  2  hymns,  11  verses  ;  Cornelia  A. 
Clegg,  7  verses  of  poetry. 

On  3rd  Sunday,  rain  so  no  school.  4th  Sun- 
day, Martha  L.  Moore,  recited  the  Ten  Com- 
mandments ;  Cornelia  Elmore,  2  verses  poetry ; 
Julia  B.  Harmon,  3  chapters  in  the  Catechism ; 
Esther  A.  Clegg,  recited  the  Ten  Commandments  ; 
Lucy  Gan  recited  in  Matthew  15  verses;  Mary  A. 
Harmon,  1  verse  in  1  Catechism;  Julia  Harmon, 
10  verses  in  1  Catechism;  Lydia  M.  Gean,  5 
verses  of  hymn;  Cattie  Gean,  1  hymn,  5  verses; 


MT.  ZION  CHURCH  9 


Caroline  Harmon,  one  section  in  1  Catechism; 
Mary  A.  Gean,  1  section  in  No.  1  Catechism  ;  Cor- 
nelia Clegg,  4  verses  of  a  hymn;  Julia  Harmon, 
one  section  of  the  1st  Catechism:  Esther  Harmon, 
Ten  Commandments. 

Sunday,  July  2,  1854.  Esther  A.  Clegg,  18 
26  chapters,  32  verses;  Eliza  B.  Clegg,  3  sections 
chapters  of  Matthew,  35  verses;  Jane  M.  Clegg, 
Catechism;  Cornelia  Clegg,  2  sections  Catechism; 
Lydia  Gean,  5  verses  scripture  and  some  verses 
of  poetry;  Mary  Ann  Harmon,  26  chapters  of 
Matthew,  35  verses. 

Third  Sunday,  Isaac  N.  Harmon,  4  verses; 
Esther  S.  Clegg,  19  of  chapter  Matthew  contain- 
ing 30  verses;  Jane  Clegg,  24  chapters  of  Matt- 
hew containing  20  verses;  Eliza  B.  Clegg,  lessons 
in  Catechism;  Cornelia  Clegg,  11  verses  in  Cate- 
chism; Lucy  Gean,  4  verses;  Lydia  Gean,  13 
verses  of  poetry. 

September,  second  Sunday.  Isaac  N.  Har- 
mon, 6  verses  of  poetry. 

This  goes  to  1855.  As  the  winter  was  bad, 
Sunday  School  was  suspended  for  awhile.  Was 
opened  again  April  13th,  the  weather  was  very 
unpleasant,  there  was  but  few  out.  Recitations 
as  follows: 

George  Bynum,  5  sections  1st  Catechism;  John 


10  MT.  ZION  CHURCH 


Moore  and  William  Neal,  2  sections  1st  Cate- 
chism ;  James  Petty,  2  sections  2nd  Catechism; 
Atlas  Petty,  3  sections  2nd  Catechism;  Elizabeth 
Neal,  Martha  Neal,  4  sections  1st  Catechism; 
Jane  M.  Clegg,  Esther  A.  Clegg,  Eliza  B.  Clegg, 
all  verses  in  Catechism ;  Julia  Harmon,  Mary  E. 
Harmon,  1 3  and  1 4  chapter  of  the  Psalms ;  Rachel 
A.  Moore,  27  verses  in  1st  chapter  of  John;  Celia 
L.  Moore,  12  verse  of  5th  chapter  of  Matthew; 
Mary  Ann  Harmon  and  Maretta  Petty,  3  sections 
of  1  st  Catechism ;  Turner  Bynum,  5  verses  in  1 6th 
chapter  of  Luke;  Stephen  Moore,  12  verses,  25th 
chapter  of  Matthew. 

Sunday  School  opened  April  20th.  Opened 
by  reading  and  prayer.  There  was  such  a  beauti- 
tiful  congregation  out,  and  good  recitations  fol- 
lowed: George  Bynum,  6  section  1st  Catechism; 
Turner  Bynum,  123rd  chapter  of  Psalms;  Joseph 
Bynum,  1  section  1st  Catechism;  Mary  A  Har- 
mon, 16  chapters  of  Matthew;  Henrietta  Petty, 
Jane  M.  Clegg,  Mary  A.  Harmon,  (there  were 
two  Mary  Ann  Harmons),  aunt  and  niece.  School 
closed  by  reading  a  prayer. 

Sunday  School  opened  April  27th  by  reading 
and  prayer.  There  was  a  good  turn  out:  Jane 
M.  Clegg,  2  sections  1st  Catechism;  Ester  A. 
Clegg,  1  section  2nd  Catechism;  Eliza  Clegg,  2 


MT.  ZION  CHURCH  11 


verses  2nd  Catechism ;  Julia  Harmon,  2  verses ; 
Mary  E.  Moore,  13  and  14  chapters  of  the 
Psalms;  Rachel  A.  Moore,  27  verses  in  1st  chapter 
of  John  ;  Celia  L.  Moore,  19  verses  of  the  5th 
chapter  of  Matthew  ;  Mary  Ann  Harmon,  2nd  and 
3rd  sections  of  1st  Catechism.  Sunday  School 
closed  by  reading  and  prayer. 

Sunday  School  opened  May  1 1th.  Recitations 
as  follows:  Esther  A.  Clegg,  1st  section  in  2nd 
Catechism  j  Martha  Moore,  14  verses  of  16th 
chapter  of  Luke;  Louisa  Marks,  2  sections  of  1st 
Catechism;  Nancy  Thomas,  3  sections  1st  Cate- 
chism   Closed  Sunday  School. 

Sunday  School  met  May  18th.  Opened  by 
reading,  singing  and  prayer.  Recitations:  Eliza- 
beth J.  Harmon,  19  verses  of  poetry;  Jane  M. 
Clegg,  4  sections  1st  Catechism;  Esther  A.  Clegg, 
section  2nd  Catechism ;  Turner  Bynum,  4  verses  of 
the  Psalms. 

Met  May  25th.  Not  many  present.  Recita- 
tions: Jane  M.  Clegg,  part  of  section  1st  Cate- 
chism; Esther  A.  Clegg,  1  section  of  1st  Cate- 
chism. Closed. 

June  3rd,  opened  by  reading,  singing  and 
prayer.    No  lessons — so  go  home. 

But  met  June  1 5,  few  present.    Martha  Neal, 


12  MT.  ZION  CHURCH 


5  sections  of  1st  Catechism ;  Jane  Clegg,  Esther 
Clegg  and  Martha  Moore. 

Sunday  School  met  July  6th,  1856.  Jane  M. 
Clegg,  Esther  A.  Clegg,  Mary  A.  Harmon,  4  ver- 
ses of  poetry ;  Celia  M.  Moore,Psalms  the  11th 
chapter. 

Sunday  School  opened  20th  of  July.  Joseph 
N.  Bynum,  2  section  1st  Catechism  j  Jane  Clegg, 
Esther  Clegg,  Mary  Ann  Harmon,  1  chapter  of 
Psalms >  Celia  M.  L.  Moore,  54. 

Sunday  School  July  27th,  was  opened  by  read- 
ing and  prayer.  George  Bynum  and  Turner  By- 
num had  real  good  lessons  in  Catechism.  Jane 
Clegg,  Esther  A.  Clegg,  Ann  C.  Gean,  Mary 
Gunter.  The  Sunday  School  seemed  to  go  down 
for  some  time  for  several  reasons.  Sickness,  and 
Mr.  Joseph  Bynum's  family  moved  away  and 
there  was  no  record  of  a  Sunday  School  kept  until 
1856,  if  it  was,  it  was  lost.  I  do  remember 
it  being  talked  of  trying  to  organize  a  Sunday 
School.  Luther  Clegg  got  up  a  Bible  Class,  he 
was  the  teacher.  The  following  are  the  names 
that  came  out. 

Males:  Morrison  Harmon,  George  W.  Pen- 
dergrass,  Alvis  Petty,  Rufus  Pendergrass,  Isaac 
H.  Harmon,  William  M.  Clegg.  - 

Females:    Martha  C.  Moore,  Cornelia  El- 


MT.  ZION  CHURCH  13 


more,  Julia  B.  Harmon,  Esther  S.  Clegg,  Jane  M. 
Clegg,  Elizabeth  Neal,  Eliza  B.  Clegg,  Dolly 
Thomas,  Esther  Ann  Thomas,  Martha  Pender- 
grass,  Catherine  Ray,  Margaret  Ray,  Mary  Ann 
Harmon,  Cornelia  C.  Clegg,  Caroline  Harmon, 
Lucy  J.  Gean,  Lydia  M.  Gean,  Margaret  Petty, 
Henrietta  Petty,  Catherine  Pendergrass,  Nancy  C. 
Ray,  Sallie  C.  Gean. 


CHAPTER  IV 


GENERAL  CONDITIONS  IN  CHATHAM 

Perhaps  it  will  not  be  out  of  order  to  write  a 
few  pages  of  general  church  work.  There  was 
seven  or  eight  churches  on  the  Pittsboro  circuit. 
The  churches  were  Pittsboro,  Brown  Chapel, 
Pleasant  Hill,  Chatham  Church,  said  to  be  the 
oldest  or  about  the  oldest  M.  E.  Church  built  in 
Chatham  County,  Providence,  Haywood,  Mt. 
Zion,  of  which  the  writer  is  trying  to  give  the 
past  that  can  be  relied  upon  as  it  happened  but 
the  writer  will  not  promise  that  it  will  all  come  in 
the  history  as  it  come  in  years,  but  she  trusts  and 
prays  that  if  it  does  not  come  as  the  years  come 
that  all  who  read  it  of  the  young  and  coming 
generations  will  find  some  pleasure,  and  also  gain 
some  help  in  learning  the  way,  so  different  to  the 
way  Sunday  School  is  carried  on  in  1900. 

Many  children  had  nothing  more  than  the  old 
blue  back  spelling  book,  but  rather  than  not  go  to 
Sunday  School  they  would  go  and  teach  the  little 
children  their  A-B-C's  the  older  ones  learning  the 
hymns  of  John  and  Charles  Wesley  and  White- 
field,  and  many  grown  or  older  ones  would  mem- 
orize whole  chapters,  some  in  New  Testament, 


MT.  ZION  CHURCH  15 


some  in  the  Old  Bible.  Some  of  the  head  ones 
or  teachers,  offered  a  prize  to  the  one  who  would 
get  the  most  verses  of  the  scripture  correct  or  per- 
fect. Sarah  Brown,  daughter  of  old  Mr.  Solomon 
Brown,  repeated  120  verses,  got  a  book  which  was 
a  pretty  and  interesting  true  story  book;  then  an- 
other was  offered  and  Lucy  Gean  got  it;  then  for 
awhile  the  Sunday  School  seemed  to  cool  some- 
what. Some  people  dying,  some  moving  away, 
but  it  was  not  let  to  go  dead. 

Luther  Clegg  (called  Uncle  Luther  by  many), 
was  true  and  faithful,  but  he  was  old  and  getting 
feeble,  so  John  A.  Hornaday  was  appointed,  young 
man,  not  a  college  one,  but  he  was  one  of  the  best 
superintendents,  if  not  the  best,  in  the  district. 
People  came  and  joined  that  had  never  seemed  to 
care  to  attend  before.  He  would  give  out  questions 
on  Sunday  to  be  found  in  the  Bible  and  caused  the 
Bible  to  be  read  more  than  it  otherwise  would  have 
been  read.  He  was  always  cheerful,  had  a  few 
words  to  say  to  any  one  in  passing. 


CHAPTER  V 


A  GREAT  ENTERTAINMENT 

In  the  summer,  1882,  Hornaday  proposed  to 
the  church  to  get  up  some  kind  of  an  entertainment 
and  have  a  dinner.  It  seemed  well  pleasing  to 
old  and  young  to  take  baskets  and  invite  their 
friends.  Each  family  would  have  a  dinner. 
He  said  he  wanted  a  table.  Some  said  that 
it  would  cost  more,  so  the  superintendent  got 
up  and  said,  "Cost !  I  will  pay  twenty-five  dollars, 
but  we  will  have  a  table."  Lucy  Gean,  said,  "I 
will  pay  ten  rather  than  not  have  a  table  j"  so  the 
table  was  prepared.  Several  were  appointed  as  com- 
mittee: Cynthia  Petty,  Viola  Tilly,  Lizzie  Harmon 
and  Lucy  Gean  to  act  as  chairman ,  so  they  all  met 
at  Maggie  Crutchfield's,  as  she  lived  near  by. 
Every  one  seemed  to  go  into  the  preparations 
with  great  zest,  acting  and  drawing  for  the  deco- 
rating of  the  church.  Over  the  lady's  door  was 
"Feed  My  Lambs,"  in  large  letters  well  drawn ; 
over  the  men's  door  was  "Feed  My  Sheep  j"  over 
the  window,  men's  window,  in  the  Amen  Corner, 
in  large  red  letters  were  the  words,  "Work  for 
Jesus."  Over  the  window,  woman's  corner,  were 
the  words,  "God  is  Love."    Several  other  words 


MT.  ZION  CHURCH  17 


were  taken  from  the  Bible  that  one  preacher  in 
his  sermon  referred  to  as  a  help. 

All  the  teachers,  superintendents,  together  with 
all  the  children,  met  in  the  old  school  house  (it 
was  standing  then,  but  was  torn  down  soon  after.) 
There  was  a  banner  for  every  class  with  some 
verses  from  the  Bible  suitable  for  all.  John  Har- 
mon, Albert  Mansfield,  W.  B.  Harper,  acted  as 
marshals.  As  for  the  Sunday  School,  100  did  not 
prepare.  Each  one  had  what  was  called  regaliors 
made  of  white  cambric,  4  or  6  inches  wide,  about 
2  yards  long  pinned  on  the  right  shoulder  with 
bow  tied  and  reached  near  the  knees  on  the  left 
side.  They  were  to  see  all  kept  order  and  when 
everyone  had  on  a  badge,  all  were  told  to  get  in 
line,  largest  class  in  front,  then  on  to  the  little 
ones,  two  and  two,  all  stopped  and  faced  at  the 
churchdoor.  As  all  had  come  to  a  halt,  the  old 
man  Luther,  opened  the  door  and  the  leader  of 
singing  started,  "Open  the  Door  for  the  Chil- 
dren, Gather  Them  into  the  Fold,"  and  almost 
every  child  and  teacher  joined  in  the  singing  as 
the  smallest  ones  went  first.  Some  had  little 
speech-verses,  or  acted,  and  the  older  people  and 
some  visitors  were  called  on  and  made  talks. 
About  1  o'clock  all  were  dismissed  from  the 
church  j  the  committee  with  some  others  to  help, 


18  MT.  ZION  CHURCH 


went  to  the  table  that  was  built  to  the  south,  or 
front  of  the  school  house.  Well,  all  the  families 
of  church  members,  the  Sunday  School,  and  near 
neighbors,  prepared  something.  There  was  plenty 
and  all  seemed  to  enjoy  the  day,  and  many  com- 
plements were  given  from  visitors.  I  guess  all 
were  willing  to  go  home,  have  a  night  of  rest  and 
sleep  and  get  back  the  next  Sunday.  By  some  the 
day  will  never  be  forgotten.  While  this  writing 
is  going  on,  many  that  were  among  the  oldest  and 
some  in  the  very  bloom  of  manhood  and  woman- 
hood has  gone  to  return  nevermore.  The  writer 
was  much  older  than  many  who  are  now  resting 
in  the  grave  yard  waiting  for  the  call.  The 
writer  is  praying  and  trusting  if  the  good  Lord 
sees  that  it  is  best  for  her  to  live  to  finish  this 
record  as  a  journal  of  the  Sunday  School  and 
Church  and  have  it  made  in  a  book  that  the  young 
people  among  those  grand-fathers  and  grand- 
mothers, and  many  great-grand  parents,  that 
helped  to  build  the  church  may  read  it.  If  those 
that  are  living  will  find  help  and  comfort  in  read- 
ing of  the  start  of  the  Sunday  School  and  the 
building  of  Mt.  Zion  M.  E.  Church,  two  miles 
south  east  of  Pittsboro,  Chatham  County,  North 
Carolina,  the  writer  will  feel  thankful  to  give 
help  and  pleasure  to  the  younger  generation  com- 
ing on. 


CHAPTER  VI 


SUNDAY  SCHOOL  IN  1856 

First  Sunday,  May,  1856,  Sunday  School 
opened  by  Luther  Clegg  and  George  Harmon  with 
these  scholars.  Females:  Jane  Harmon,  Nancy 
Brown,  Hester  Ann  Thomas,  Cloyoe  Thomas, 
Martha  Moore,  Esther  Ann  Clegg,  Jane  M. 
Clegg,  Elizabeth  Brown,  Eliza  Brown,  Lucy  Gean, 
Catherine  Chadwick,  Sina  Gean,  Henrietta  Petty. 

Second  Sunday,  Sunday  School  opened  by 
reading  of  the  scripture  and  prayer.  Esther  Ann 
Clegg,  3  hymns  j  Jane  M.  Clegg,  3  hymns ;  Lucy 
Gean,  3  hymns  j  Eliza  B.  Clegg,  2  hymns  j  Jane 
M.  Clegg,  2  hymns  j  Catherine  Gean,  4  verses 
poetry. 

First  Sunday  in  June,  school  opened  by  reading 
and  prayer.  Cloyoe  Thomas,  9  verses  j  Jane  M. 
Clegg,  4  hymns,  20  verses ;  E.  B.  Clegg,  2  hymns, 
8  verses. 

Second  Sunday  in  June,  Sunday  School  opened 
by  prayer.  Jane  Clegg,  15  verses  of  hymns  j 
Eliza  B.  Clegg,  12  verses  of  hymns. 

Third  Sunday,  School  was  opened  by  reading 
a  portion  of  scripture  and  prayer.  Martha  Moore 
repeated  13th  chapter  Matthew, — verses  ;  Esther 


20  MT.  ZION  CHURCH 


A.  Clegg,  100  and  37th  Psalm ;  Jane  M.  Clegg, 
2  hymns,  1 0  verses  ;  Eliza  B.  Clegg,  120th  Psalm, 
2  hymns,  7  verses ;  Martha  Newel,  53rd  chapter 
Matthew,  65  verses. 

Fourth  Sunday,  Alvis  Petty,  5  verses  in  Cate- 
chism. 

First  Sunday  in  July,  1856.  The  Rev.  W.  F. 
Clegg  preached  his  first  sermon  in  Mt.  Zion  M. 
E.  Chuurch  after  being  given  license  to  pass  the 
North  Carolina  Conference.  It  might  not  be 
out  of  place  to  say  his  son,  James,  preached  his 
first  sermon  in  the  same  church,  but  is  was  in  1886. 

The  first  Sunday  in  June  Jane  Clegg  repeated 
the  10  chapters  of  John,  42  verses;  Lucy  Gean, 
22nd  chapter  Matthew,  22  verses  and  30  verses 
of  poetry  j  Sarah  Brown,  2nd,  3rd,  4th  and  5th 
chapters  of  Matthew,  115,  for  which  she  was  given 
a  prize  for  a  Sunday  School  reader  because  it  was 
the  most  verses  that  any  one  had  ever  repeated. 
Esther  A  Clegg,  repeated  Luke  16th  and  17th 
chapters,  37  verses,  chapter  18,  43  verses. 

July  1,  Jane  M.  Clegg,  Matthew  13th  chapter, 
36  verses ;  Sarah  J.  Brown,  recited  Corinthians, 
15th  chapter,  58  verses,  Matthew  6th  chapter, 
34th  Psalm  136,  26  verses  is  1,182;  Eliza  Clegg, 
Matthew,  3rd  chapter,  17  verses;  Catherine  Gean, 
Matthew  3rd  chapter,  1 7  verses. 


MT.  ZION  CHURCH  21 


Second  Sunday  in  July,  1857.  Esther  A. 
Clegg,  12th  chapter  Luke,  48  2  j  Jane  M.  Clegg, 
26th  chapter  Matthew,  462 ;  Eliza  B.  Clegg, 
6th  chapter  Ephesians,  25  verses ;  Caroline  Har- 
mon, hymns  and  verses  j  Lucretia  Clegg,  hymns 
and  verses ;  Tina  C.  Gean,  hymns,  12  verses. 


CHAPTER  VII 


WAR  BETWEEN  THE  STATES 

Well  the  war  between  the  North  and  South 
was  so  bad,  did  not  try  to  keep  up  for  awhile.  It 
was  impossible  to  keep  up  regularly  classes,  but  in 
1863  there  was  a  proposal  made  for  all  those  that 
wanted  a  Sunday  School  at  Mt.  Zion  the  3rd  Sun- 
day in  May  to  come  out.  Well,  a  local  preacher 
agreed  to  come  and  help  out  and  preach  just  a 
short  sermon  after  the  school  was  organized. 

1863  3rd  Sunday  in  May.  A  goodly  number 
of  neighbors  met.  The  names  taken  down  — 
Luther  Clegg,  Spencer  Petty. 

Females:  Mrs.  Flora  Clegg,  Miss  Lydia  M. 
Gean,  Mrs.  Nancy  Petty,  Cattie  S.  Gean,  Sarah 
Brown,  Antoniette  Gunter,  Eliza  B.  Clegg,  Mary 
A.  Gean,  Addie  M.  Clegg,  Esther  A.  Clegg, 
Cynthia  J.  Petty,  Henrietta  Petty,  Sarah  J.  Brown, 
Martha  A.  Brown,  Elizabeth  Brown.  Names  of 
males:  Isaac  N.  Petty,  Rufus  B.  Clegg,  Walter 
P.  Brooks,  Thomas  W.  Gunter,  M.  T.  Brown  and 
William  Pendergrass. 

Fourth  Sunday  in  May,  1 8  64.  Met  as  usual. 
Lydia  Gean,  26  verses  of  hymns ;  Rufus  Clegg, 
2  sections  Catechism ;  Cattie  S.  Gean,  4th  chapter 


MT.  ZION  CHURCH  23 


Matthew,  25  verses ;  Eliza  B.  CI  egg,  4th  chapter 
of  John,  51  verses  j  Addie  M.  Clegg,  2  sections  in 
Catechism. 

First  Sunday  in  June,  1864.  A  few  of  us  as- 
sembled at  church  to  organize  a  Sunday  School  as 
there  was  such  a  stir  on,  people  hardly  seemed  to 
know  what  or  how  to  do.  Soldiers  going  and 
coming  and  so  many  hearing  of  some  dear  and 
loved  ones  sick  in  camp  or  dead,  that  the  Sunday 
School  had  let  die  out.  A  few  of  the  old  people 
who  did  not  have  to  go  to  war  and  the  little  chil- 
dren met  again  on  this  Sunday,  being  a  pleasant 
day,  a  day  to  be  blessed,  we  organized  with  the  fol- 
lowing: Luther  Clegg,  Superintendent ;  Spencer 
Petty,  Assistant  j  Miss  Annie  Clegg,  Secretary ; 
Miss  Jane  M.  Clegg,  Teacher ;  Mrs.  Martha  B. 
Pendergrass,  Teachers ;  Mrs.  Flora  A.  Clegg, 
Treasurer  j  Miss  Eliza  B.  Clegg,  Librarian 
Names  of  males:  Theodore  Caudle,  Isaac  N. 
Petty,  Oscar  Brown,  Rufus  B.  Clegg,  Adolphus 
Brown,  M.  T.  Brown,  Andrew  J.  Petty,  Walter  N. 
Brooks,  William  Pennington,  Thomas  W.  Mans- 
field, Charlie  F.  Match,  Thomas  W.  Gunter,  Alvis 
Petty,  John  F.  Gunter,  John  B.  Clegg,  Andrew 
Caudle  and  David  F.  Clegg. 

July  of  1864:  Names  of  females  for  May, 
but  I  cannot  tell  how  the  lesson  was  recited,  but 


24  MT.  ZION  CHURCH 


do  remember  there  were  portions  of  scripture  and 
hymns.  Martha  Thomas,  Eliza  B.  Clegg,  Liz 
zie  J.  Brown,  Antonette  Gunter,  Cynthia  J.  Petty, ' 
Pandora  Petty,  Mary  S.  Petty,  Addie  M.  Clegg, 
Lydia  M.  Gean,  Cattie  S.  Gean,  Mary  A.  Gean, 
Annie  Bland,  Helen  B.  Gunter,  Henrietta  Petty, 
Helen  P.  Clegg,  for  the  third  Sunday.  Next 
comes  the  4th  Sunday  in  May.  Recitations  by  the 
class  as  it  comes:  Eliza  B.  Clegg,  the  5th  chapter 
of  John,  25  verses.  Antonette  Gunter,  1st  chapter 
John,  15  verses. ;  Mary  Petty,  5  verses  of  scrip- 
ture. 

Sunday  School  was  reopened  in  May,  1865. 
Luther  Clegg,  Superintendent ;  Miss  Esther  A. 
Clegg,  Secretary ;  Miss  Henrietta  Petty  j  Assistant 
Secretary  j  Miss  Martha  Slaughter,  Teacher  -y  Miss 
Jennie  Clegg,  Teacher ;  Mrs.  Flora  A.  Clegg, 
Treasurer  j  Miss  Eliza  B.  Clegg,  Librarian.  Names 
of  pupils:  Males,  Andrew  Petty,  Andrew  Caudle, 
W.  F.  Brown,  Rufus  B.  Brown,  Isaac  N.  Petty, 
Rufus  B.  Clegg,  Wesley  Pendergrass,  Artemus 
Hatch,  Thomas  M.  Gunter,  John  F.  iGunter, 
Walter  P.  Brooks,  Thomas  Mansfield,  Meddie 
Brown  and  Adolphus  Brown. 

May,  1865,  combined  the  names  of  female 
pupils  on  first  Sunday.  Eliza  B.  Clegg,  Lizzie 
J.  Brown,  Mrs.  Mary  J.  Morgan,  Mary  Morgan, 


MT.  ZION  CHURCH  25 


Addie  M.  Clegg,  Antonette  Gunter,  Mary  A. 
Gean,  Cattie  Gean,  Eliza  Boon.  Lesson  not  re- 
corded or  put  down,  but  most  every  one  repeated 
a  hymn,  or  some  part  of  the  scripture  or  section 
in  some  number  in  Catechism. 

Sunday  School,  3rd  Sunday  —  recitations: 
Rufus  Clegg,  1st  section  in  2nd  Catechism ;  Addie 
Clegg  and  Cynthia  Petty  repeated  the  1st  section 
in  2nd  Catechism. 

First  Sunday  in  June,  1865.  The  recitations 
as  follow:  Martha  A.  Brown,  37th  Psalm,  4  ver- 
ses ;  Lizzie  J.  Brown,  part  of  10th  chapter  of 
John,  23  verses;  Annie  Bland,  part  of  30th  chap- 
ter of  Exodus,  17  verses;  Addie  Clegg,  23rd 
Psalm,  6  verses,  131st  and  139th  Psalms ;  Nellie 
Brown,  3  sections  in  Catechism  ;  Andrew  Petty,  3 
sections  in  2nd  Catechism  j  Lonnie  Gunter,  1  verse 
in  scripture;  John  Gunter,  1  verse  in  scripture; 
Oscar  Brown,  1  vrse  in  scripture. 

Second  Sunday  in  June,  1865.  Cynthia  J. 
Petty,  12  verses  in  5th  chapter  of  Mark;  Mary  J. 
Petty,  1  verse  in  scripture,  2  verses  in  Catchism; 
Newton  Petty,  6  verses  of  3rd  chapter  of  Matthew 
and  1  section  in  2nd  Catechism;  Andrew  Petty, 
part  of  the  section  in  2nd  Catechism;  Thomas 
Gunter,  1  verse  in  scripture;  John  Gunter,  1  verse 
in  scripture;  Oscar  Brown,  1  verse  in  scripture. 


26  MT.  ZION  CHURCH 


In  Sunday  School,  5th  Sunday  in  June.  A 
prayer  and  song  to  open  school.  Then  names 
were  called  and  each  one  answers  with  their  lesson: 
Elizabeth  B.  CI  egg,  6th  chapter  of  John,  20  verses, 
1  hymn,  2  verses ;  Antonet  Gunter,  1  page  in  1st 
Catechism  5  Cynthia  Petty,  3  sections  in  1st  cate- 
chism ;  Pandora  Petty,  1  section  in  Catechism  ; 
Addie  Clegg,  1 1 8th  Psalm,  14  verses ;  Lydia  Gean, 
20th  chapter  Matthew,  30  verses ;  Cattie  Gean, 
37th  Psalm,  40  verses ;  Mary  A.  Gean,  3rd  chap- 
ter Matthew,  17  verses ;  Andrew  Petty,  part  of 
4th  section  of  2nd  Catechism  and  1  chapter  of 
John,  40  verses;  Newton  Petty,  part  of  4th  section 
in  2nd  Catechism;  Wm.  Pendergrass,  2nd  section 
in  1st  Catechism ;  Oscar  Brown,  1st  section  in  1st 
Catechism  j  Johnie  Gunter,  1st  section  in  1st  Cate- 
chism ;  Mary  Petty,  4th  section  in  1st  Catechism  j 
Addie  Clegg,  1  hymn,  3  verses. 

Sunday  School  met  4th  Sunday  in  June. 
Historical  scripture  questions  by  a  class  consisting 
of:  Esther  A.  Clegg,  Jennie  B.  Clegg  and  A. 
Petty,  2nd  section  of  21  H.  L.  L.  Book;  Martha 
Brown,  5th  chapter  of  Matthew,  40  verses;  Lizzie 
Brown,  2nd  chapter  of  Proverbs,  18  verses; 
Cynthia  and  Mary  Petty,  4th  and  5th  part  of 
5th  section  1st  Catechism;  Addie  Clegg,  3  sections 
in  1st  Catechism;  Pandora  Petty,  2nd  lesson  in 


MT.  ZION  CHURCH  27 


Prims  Catechism  3  Mary  Petty,  5th  and  6th  sec- 
tions in  Prims  Catechism ;  Cynthia  Petty,  3  verses 
of  Hymn  j  John  B.  Ciegg,  1st  chapter  of  John,  4 
verses  ;  Andrew  Petty,  part  of  section  in  2nd  Cate- 
chism ;  Newton  Petty,  part  of  section  in  2nd  Cate- 
chism ;  Walter  Brooks,  part  of  6th  section  of  1st 
Catechism.  Two  Catechism  classes  containing 
Lydia  Gean,  Eliza  B.  Clegg  and  Sallie  S.  Gean. 

First  Sunday  in  July,  1865.  H.  L.  Clay,  1st 
and  4th  lessons  in  2nd  Catechism ;  Lizzie  Brown, 
1st  in  the  2nd  Catechism;  Addie  Clegg  and 
Cynthia  Petty,  part  of  the  5th  section  in  1st 
Catechism;  Antonette  Gunter,  25  lessons  in  Primes 
Catechism  and  20  verses  of  hymns;  Addie  Clegg, 
2  verses  in  Sabbath  School  Book;  Andrew  Petty, 
Rufus  Clegg  and  John  Clegg,  repeated  2nd  lesson 
in  the  M.  L.  L.  Book;  Thomas  Gunter,  3  lessons  in 
Primer  Catechism;  Adolphus  Brown,  a  verse  in 
scripture;  David  Clegg,  1st  and  2nd  sections  in 
1st  Catechism  and  6  verses  of  1st  chapter  of  John; 
John  Clegg,  Rufus  Clegg  and  Andrew  Petty,  had 
part  of  the  2nd  section  in  the  2nd  Catechism;  Wm. 
Brown,  part  of  section  in  1st  Catechism;  Walter 
Brooks,  6th  and  7th  verses  in  1st  Catechism;  Oscar 
Brown,  3rd  section  in  1st  Catechism. 

Sunday  School,  2nd  Sunday  in  July.  The 
M.  L.  class  recited  with  Alvis  Petty,  Andrew 


28  MT.  ZION  CHURCH 


Petty,  Henrietta  Petty,  Jenie  M.  Petty,  Esther  A. 
Clegg,  with  the  5th  and  6th  chapters  in  class. 
Sometimes  several  would  have  a  poem  and  4,  5 
and  6,  and  each  repeated  a  verse.  Some  would 
repeat  a  hymn  alone.  Well,  in  the  war  times  it 
was  hard  to  keep  a  true  record.  The  Moores'  the 
Bynums',  nearly  all  dead  and  moved  away,  but 
Mr.  Luther  Clegg,  getting  old,  held  out  for  many 
years.  Then  his  son,  R.  B.  Clegg,  was  superin- 
tendent for  quite  a  number  of  years. 


CHAPTER  VIII 


PREACHER  SENT  OUT 

From  1868  to  1869  I  cannot  tell,  as  I  was 
off  most  of  the  time  teaching  in  the  upper  part  of 
Moore  County.  In  1876,  1877,  until  1879  it 
was  opened  up  in  the  spring  and  in  the  fall 
Thomas  Mansfield  made  the  proposal  to  get  a 
stove,  so  several  agreed  to  help  and  that  winter 
there  was  a  stove  in  the  church.  Sunday  School 
was  kept  up,  that  is  if  the  weather  would  permit. 
John  A.  Hornaday  was  appointed  superintendent. 
He  was  three  or  four  years  later  given  license  to 
preach  and  joined  the  North  Carolina  M.  E.  Con- 
ference ;  then  about  a  year  after  Thomas  W. 
Mansfield  was  given  license  to  preach  in  the  same 
church.  Preached  his  first  sermon  just  before  the 
Conference  was  divided.  The  annual  conference 
was  held  in  Greensboro,  the  Bishop  made  a  talk 
and  asked  for  volunteers  for  the  mission  field. 
Thomas  Mansfield  said  he  would  go;  he  came  to 
bid  his  people  goodbye ;  he  could  hardly  talk. 
Betty  Harmon  commenced  the  song,  "God  Be 
With  You  Till  We  Meet  Again;"  he  broke  down 
and  many  shed  tears.  He  went,  spent  two  years; 
his  health  got  so  bad  he  was  called  back  to  North 


30  MT.  ZION  CHURCH 


Carolina.  For  the  next  year  or  so  served  the  Hot 
Springs  circuit.  His  father  was  dead,  but  his 
mother,  six  brothers  and  three  sisters,  attended 
the  Sunday  School  and  church  at  Mt.  Zion.  The 
girls  and  three  brothers  professed  and  joined  the 
church  there,  until  they  left  Chatham  they  re- 
mained members  there.  Lucy  Gean  was  a  teacher 
of  the  women's  class.  Her  class  was  held  in  the 
women's  Amen  corner.  The  last  one  of  the  class 
has  been  called  Home.  Mrs.  Tilley  Ann  Clegg, 
wife  of  Luther  Clegg,  was  burned  to  death  5  she 
lived  one  day  and  night  after  she  was  burned. 
She  said  she  was  willing  to  go  home  to  be  free 
from  suffering. 

Since  the  writer  left  North  Carolina  in  1866, 
and  did  not  return  until  1868,  she  can  not  give 
work  during  that  time. 

Sunday  School  reopened  5th  Sunday  in  April, 
1868.  Luther  Clegg,  Superintendent  5  Teachers, 
Eliza  B.  Clegg,  Lucy  Gean,  Martha  A.  Brown, 
Anne  E.  Clegg,  Dr.  Norman  Melton,  Harrison 
H.  Harmon,  for  the  summer  of  1 868.  Names  of 
scholars.  Males:  Isaac  N.  Petty,  Rufus  B.  Clegg, 
William  C.  Melton,  Marion  Boon,  Harrison  Boon, 
Willie  Brown,  Thomas  W.  Gunter,  Peter  R. 
Hatch,  Charlie  C.  Hatch,  Wm.  Pendergrass,  John 
T.    Gunter,   Bertram    Gunter,   Wm.  Sanders. 


MT.  ZION  CHURCH  31 


Females:  Cora  Melton,  Mary  Melton,  Eliza 
Boon,  Cynthia  Petty,  Mary  Petty,  Emma  Petty, 
Rosa  Pendergrass,  Ellen  Gunter,  Lizzie  Brown, 
Fannie  Hatch,  Addie  Hatch,  Gertie  W.  Poe. 

May,  1868.  Sunday  School  opened  with  the 
reading  of  a  portion  of  the  scripture  and  prayer. 
Names  of  females:  Cora  A.  Melton,  Mary  Mel- 
ton, Eliza  Boon,  Cynthia  J.  Petty,  Fannie  Hatch, 
Addie  Hatch,  Gertie  Poe,  Lizzie  Johnson,  Addie 
Clegg.  Males:  Isaac  N.  Petty,  Rufus  B.  Clegg, 
William  C.  Melton,  Harrison  Boon,  William 
Brown,  Thomas  W.  Gunter,  John  Gunter,  Boston 
Gunter,  Peter  Hatch,  Charlie  Hatch,  William 
Pendergrass,  William  Sanders,  Andrew  Caudle, 
Alonzo  Caudle,  Alfred  Pendergrass,  Charlie  Pen- 
dergrass, Walter  F.  Brown,  William  E.  Poe. 

1 879-80  and  8 1 .  The  Sunday  School  was  in- 
teresting. John  A.  Hornaday,  Superintendent  j 
Rufus  B.  Clegg,  Assistant ;  Albert  Mansfield,  Sec- 
retary. They  had  no  catechism  then,  but  R.  B. 
Clegg  or  Albert  Mansfield  would  call  the  names 
of  each  scholar  and  each  would  rise  up  and  repeat 
a  verse  of  scripture.  That  was  the  rule  for  quite 
awhile. 

Roll  of  Sunday  School  scholars  in  1881:  John 
A.  Hornaday,  Superintendent L.  Clegg,  R.  B. 
Clegg,  Sophie  Hannock,  John  Hannock,  John 


32  MT.  ZION  CHURCH 


Gilmore,  Thomas  Griffin,  Cornelia  Griffin,  Leo- 
nedus  Griffin,  John  M.  Boon,  Harrison  Harrison, 
F.  B.  Morrison,  John  R.  Harmon,  William  W. 
Penington,  William  Harper,  W.  B.  Harper,  W. 
N.  Straughn,  T.  Freddie  Johnson,  Graham  John- 
son, P.  M.  Johnson,  Freddy  Tilley,  C.  T.  John- 
son, C.  M.  Clegg,  Joseph  Hannock,  C.  J.  Petty, 
Mary  Petty,  Claudius  Gilmore,  Savannah  Wil- 
liams, Betty  Petty,  Emma  Tilly,  Viola  Tilly, 
Fannie  Tilly,  Martha  Pendergrass,  Mattie  Gil- 
more, George  Harmon,  Mary  Harmon,  Edward 
Gilmore,  Albert  Manfield,  Alexander  Jones, 
Emily  J.  Williams,  Isaac  N.  Petty,  Fratis  B. 
Petty,  Everett  Petty. 

Now  comes  Christmas  of  1881,  with  a  tree 
all  dressed  in  the  north-east  corner,  or  the  women's 
Amen  corner,  John  A.  Hornaday,  leader.  The 
names  of  the  scholars:  First,  L.  Clegg,  C.  M. 
Clegg,  C.  J.  Petty,  Samuel  Hunt,  Robert  L. 
Hornaday,  Freddy  Johnson,  Savannah  Williams, 
Thomas  C.  Cox,  W.  B.  Harper,  Joseph  Harmon, 
Mary  Harmon,  Henry  C.  Crutchfield,  Annie 
Hunt,  Andrew  N.  Hunt,  Viola  Tilly,  Bettie  Petty, 
Adellade  Ellis,  Mattie  Tilly,  Annie  Tilly,  Lillie 
Harmon,  Bettie  G.  Harmon. 


CHAPTER  IX 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  YEARS 

While  Gattis  was  pastor  there  was  a  great 
stir  about  tearing  away  the  old  church.  Now 
we  will  tell  about  the  moving  of  Mt.  Zion,  Chat- 
ham and  Province  to  put  all  in  one  church  on  the 
road  that  led  from  Pittsboro  to  Haywood.  Well, 
it  was  agreed  to  let  each  church  have  a  right  to 
have  something  to  say.  When  it  came  to  Mt. 
Zion,  Gattis  had  a  short  sermon.  It  was  allowed 
that  the  members  could  have  a  say.  He  had  talked 
himself  and  a  few  had  said  something.  Mr.  Gattis 
was  for  putting  the  three  in  one.  Lucy  Gean,  one 
of  the  oldest  members,  asked  permission  to  speak. 
It  was  given  and  she  did.  She  said  in  one  of  her 
talks,  that  she  would  not  ever  give  up  for  Mt. 
Zion  to  be  torn  down.  "My  father,"  she  said, 
"haulded  with  his  wagon  and  team  the  first  sills 
and  sleepers  to  start  the  foundation  of  this  church, 
and  my  father  and  mother  never  failed  to  help 
support  it  in  any  way,  and  both  of  their  bodies  are 
resting  in  this  sacred  ground.  I  will  never  give 
up."  Addie  Clegg  sat  behind  Lucy  and  more  than 
once  would  say,  "Talk  on  Lucy,  I  am  to  your  back 
if  I  cannot  talk,  I  am  with  you,  and  if  they  tear 


34  MT.  ZION  CHURCH 


it  down,  we'll  stay  if  we  have  to  build  us  a  brush 
arbor,  won't  we."  Well,  Mr.  Gattis  went  on  with 
his  report,  told  them  that  he  had  been  whipped 
out  and  would  give  it  up,  so  no  other  pastor  has 
ever  tried  to  tear  down  any  of  the  churches. 

The  family  of  M.  P.  Leighton  had  moved  in 
the  neighborhood.  The  mother  was  a  Mansfield. 
Of  the  Mansfields  were  six  brothers,  and  three 
sisters ;  the  three  girls  with  three  brothers,  all  pro- 
fessed in  Mt.  Zion  Church  in  1879,  1880,  1881. 

The  Leighton  family  attended  the  Sunday 
School  during  these  twelve  or  fourteen  years  stay 
in  the  neighborhood  and  there  was  gotten  up  a 
missionary  society  with  three  classes ;  one  ten  cent 
class,  one  nickle,  and  one  penny,  to  meet  every 
3rd  Sunday.  Some  little  tots  wanted  to  join. 
These  lived  with  their  aunt.  She  wanted  to  train 
them  to  earn  something,  so  she  told  them  to  get 
in  wood  and  kindling,  she  would  give  them  a 
penny.  Well,  they  did  and  on  Sunday  when  the 
roll  was  called,  each  little  child  would  go  and  lay 
her  penny  on  the  table.  Callie  Clegg  was  secre- 
tary Cordie  Harmon,  treasurer.  One  little  boy 
only  four  years  old,  when  his  older  sister  and 
brother  were  called,  watched  them  go  lay  their 
penny  on  the  table  that  was  inside  of  the  alter. 
When  the  little  fellow  went  to  put  his  on,  Cordie 


MT.  ZION  CHURCH  35 


thought  he  was  so  little  she'd  take  it;  he  drew 
back  very  much  insulted,  he  showed  it,  and  laid 
his  on  the  table  with  a  bang  and  went  back  to  his 
aunt.    Most  everyone  saw  him  and  was  amused. 

Mrs.  Leighton  and  one  little  girl  died  and 
their  bodies  are  sleeping  in  the  church  grave  yard. 
The  little  boys  who  were  members  of  the  penny 
class  are  now  grown  men  and  also  Christian  sol- 
diers. 

Mr.  George  Harmon,  who  lived  and  died  in 
the  Mt.  Zion  neighborhood,  was  the  father,  grand- 
father and  great-grandfather  of  a  great  many  of 
the  Harmons  of  this  neighborhood.  His  first 
wife,  who  was  a  Polk  of  eastern  Virginia,  died  and 
left  eight  children,  four  sons  and  four  daughters. 
They  all  joined  the  Methodists.  He  died  more 
than  seventy-five  years  ago;  left  his  last  wife  who 
was  a  Baptist.  There  were  four  children,  Mary 
who  married  James  W.  Chadwick,  went  to  Ala- 
bama. Elizabeth  married  Nathan  Boone,  who 
died  or  was  killed  in  the  Civil  War  and  left  her 
with  three  children.  Harrison,  who  married 
Antonette  Gunter,  and  Julia  who  married  John 
Roberson.The  four  children  all  attended  the  Sun- 
day School,  the  only  one  they  ever  went  to.  They 
all  went  to  the  Baptist  Church. 

Grandmother  selected  the  text  she  wanted  her 


36  MT.  ZION  CHURCH 


funeral  preached  from.  It  was:  "If  the  right- 
eous scarcely  be  saved,  where  will  the  ungodly  and 
the  sinner  appear?"  The  place  Mt.  Zion,  the 
preacher  a  Baptist,  William  Lineberry,  known  bet- 
ter as  "Uncle  Billie."  Her  requests  were  all  com- 
plied with.  God  rest  them  all.  Not  one  of  the 
family  is  living. 

Mr.  Isaiah  Collier  moved  from  Goldsboro, 
with  his  wife  and  her  sister,  his  three  sons,  Billy 
Tomie  and  Preston.  They  were  quite  good  peo- 
ple j  their  church  faith  was  Free- Will  Baptists ; 
there  was  no  church  of  that  faith  and  order  in  our 
part  of  the  country  so  they  all  joined  our  Sunday 
School,  attended  preaching  regularly,  and  were  a 
great  help.  The  two  women  were  sweet  singers, 
alto  and  soprano.  Mr.  Collier,  his  wife,  sister, 
and  son's  wife,  are  all  sleeping  in  the  church  ceme- 
tery. His  preacher  from  Goldsboro  came  and 
preached  his  funeral  in  Mt.  Zion  Church. 


CHAPTER  X 


LIST  OF  PASTORS 

Mt.  Zion  is  said  to  be  the  first  M.  E.  Church 
in  Chatham  County,  built  not  many  years  after 
the  Revolutionary  War.  It  was  built  of  logs. 
The  writer,  a  small  child,  remembers  seeing  old 
logs  which  the  old  people  told  her  were  logs  of 
the  old  church. 

It  is  hard  to  give  a  correct  record  of  the  pastors 
in  the  early  days. 

When  the  Pittsboro  Circuit  had  seven  or  eight 
churches,  just  four  of  the  churches  had  Sunday 
preaching  by  the  pastor.  That  was  Haywood, 
Brown's  Chapel,  Pleasant  Hill  and  Mt.  Zion.  In 
1850,  51  and  52,  the  first  that  I  can  remember 
Heflin  served  three  years,  then  came  Archer. 
Two  local  preachers  in  Pittsboro,  William  Taylor 
and  John  Tinnin,  would  come  sometimes  and 
preach  and  take  part  in  the  protracted  meetings. 
Most  all  the  peoople  seemed  to  love  each  other 
and  did  not  fail  to  show  it,  and  give  a  good  hand 
shake  and  tell  to  others  that  they  were  happy  and 
loved  God  and  all  the  people. 

Hefflin  was  the  circuit  rider — 1850,  1851  and 
1 852 j  then  came  Archer ;  Peter  Doub,  was  the 


38  MT.  ZION  CHURCH 


Presiding  Elder.  A  station  preacher  was  in  Pitts- 
boro,  Oscar  Brent,  and  then  come  Rev.  R.  S. 
Webb.  At  the  commencement  of  the  war  between 
the  North  and  the  South,  he  joined  the  Southern 
Army  and  went  as  a  chaplain  with  the  Chatham 
Rifles  that  went  out  from  Pittsboro.  Shockley 
D.  Adams  was  the  circuit  rider  and  went  from 
there  to  Carthage  in  1862,  then  come  H.  H.  Gib- 
bons, who  was  there  until  1866. 

Richard  Webb,  the  station  preacher  in  Pitts- 
boro, would  come  out  in  the  country  and  help  in 
protracted  meetings.  He  was  with  H.  H.  Gibbons 
at  Mt.  Zion  in  a  meeting  that  was  one  to  be  remem- 
bered. There  was  a  great  ingathering  of  many 
souls,  young  and  old.  One  old  man  and  his  wife, 
Mr.  David  Johnson  and  wife,  went  to  the  alter  and 
knelt  side  by  side;  both  were  converted  and  joined 
the  church.  They  lived  many  years  after  and 
both  died  in  the  faith. 

No  preacher  was  more  beloved.  He  would 
not  miss  shaking  hands  with  every  child;  little 
children  would  crowd  around  him  and,  many 
times,  one  would  have  one  hand  and  another 
the  other  hand.  He  believed  in  the  old  time 
way  of  a  good  warm  hand  shake.  No  one  that  has 
never  tried  it  can  know  the  good  it  has  done  some 
poor  child,  girl  or  boy,  that  has  but  few  kind  or 


MT.  ZION  CHURCH  39 


loving  words.  Try  it,  reader,  and  note  the  change 
of  the  face,  and  you  will  not  then  say,  there  is  no 
good  in  a  hand  shake.  A  few  kind  words  has  won 
a  poor  convict  that  repented  and  lived  true. 
Remember  I  am  telling  what  has  proven  true  not 
so  many  years  ago  and  not  so  very  far  away. 

J.  B.  Martin  served  four  years.  Then  came  C. 
C.  Dodson,  a  humble  good  man,  who  spent  but 
two  years.  Then  R.  T.  N.  Stephenson  served 
three  years.  The  conference  was  divided.  He 
went  to  the  Western  Conference.  Then  came 
Roberson.  He  got  crippled  and  W.  W.  Rose 
was  sent  here  to  fill  out  the  year.  He  was  in 
charge  four  years,  then  came  J.  Sanford,  who  was 
on  the  circuit  two  years  and  moved  from  there  to 
Siler  City,  at  which  place  he  was  taken  ill  in  the 
pulpit  while  on  his  knees  and  died.  Then  came 
V.  A.  Royal  for  four  year.  -  Then  James  H. 
Frizzelle.  Next  J.  J.  Boone,  who  served  four  years 
and  did  well.  Then  came  Charles  M.  Lance,  who 
is  now  serving  his  fourth  this  1928.  May  God  go 
with  him  where  ever  he  goes  from  the  Pittsboro 
Circuit,  is  the  prayer  of  many  for  himself  and 
all  his  family,  especially  the  writer. 


CONTENTS 

I    The  Early  Days   3 

II    A  Church  is  Built   6 

III  Sunday  School  Kept  Going  ...  8 

IV  General  Conditions  in  Chatham  .  14 
V  A  Great  Entertainment     ...  16 

VI  Sunday  School  in  1856    ....  19 

VII  War  Between  the  States     ...  22 

VIII    Preacher  Sent  Out   29 

IX  Incidents  of  the  Years  ....  33 

X    List  of  Pastors   37 


